English Language Arts
Grade 4
15 min
Abbreviate customary units of measurement
Abbreviate customary units of measurement
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the correct abbreviation for common customary units of length (inch, foot, yard, mile).
Write the correct abbreviation for common customary units of weight (ounce, pound, ton).
Recognize the correct abbreviation for common customary units of volume (cup, pint, quart, gallon).
Apply the rule that abbreviations for units of measurement do not change for plural amounts.
Use periods correctly when writing abbreviations for customary units.
Correctly write a number and an abbreviated unit with a space in between (e.g., 5 ft.).
Have you ever seen a road sign that says 'NEXT EXIT 1 mi' or a recipe that calls for '2 c flour'? 🗺️ Let's figure out what those secret codes mean!
Today, we are learning about abbreviations, which are...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
AbbreviationA shortened form of a word or phrase.The abbreviation for 'Mister' is 'Mr.'
Customary UnitThe most common system of measurement used in the United States.Inches, pounds, and gallons are all customary units.
LengthA measurement of how long something is from end to end.A ruler measures length in inches (in.) and feet (ft.).
WeightA measurement of how heavy an object is.A bag of sugar is measured by weight in pounds (lb.).
VolumeThe amount of space a liquid takes up inside a container.A carton of milk is measured by volume in gallons (gal.).
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Period Rule
Most abbreviations for customary units end with a period.
Place a period at the end of the abbreviation to show that it is a shortened word. For example, 'inch' becomes 'in.' and 'gallon' becomes 'gal.'
The Singular and Plural Rule
The abbreviation is the same for one unit or many units.
Never add an 's' to an abbreviation to make it plural. For example, '1 pound' is '1 lb.' and '10 pounds' is also '10 lb.', not '10 lbs.'
The Spacing Rule
Always put a space between the number and the abbreviation.
When you write a measurement, the number and the unit's abbreviation should not touch. For example, write '7 mi.' not '7mi.'
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Challenging
A student claims, 'To abbreviate customary units, you just write the first two letters, add an 's' if it's more than one, and put a period.' Which part of this claim is incorrect based on the tutorial?
A.Writing the first two letters is always wrong.
B.You should never put a period at the end.
C.You should not add an 's' if it's more than one.
D.Abbreviations are not allowed for customary units.
Challenging
Read the paragraph: 'My new fish tank holds 10 gals. of water. I bought a small castle that is 6in. tall and a treasure chest that weighs 1lb. The tank itself is 2 ft. long.' How many abbreviation errors are in this paragraph?
A.One error
B.Two errors
C.Three errors
D.Four errors
Challenging
You need to write a sentence that includes a measurement of 'four tons' and 'sixteen feet'. Which sentence correctly synthesizes these measurements with proper abbreviations?
A.The elephant, weighing over 4 T., was 16 ft. tall.
B.The elephant, weighing over 4 Ts., was 16 fts. tall.
C.The elephant, weighing over 4 T, was 16 ft tall.
D.The elephant, weighing over 4 T., was 16ft. tall.
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